Life's Choices

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Growing up, I attended a parochial school and the
first time I heard anything about one's calling in life was from
the priests and nuns who were our teachers. Looking back, there was
much discussion on the call to vocation, or becoming a nun or
priest, but not so much information on the endless list of other
fields one could be "called" to. So, at that time in my life,
little thought was given to one's mission, outside of the clergy.
I've since learned to think
outside of the box!

Life is all about the choices we make and how we respond to
those choices. I have found often in my life that when presented
with a decision, my inner voice (the smart me) tells me what I
should do. On the good days I both hear and listen to the message.
But other days when I think I'm smarter than the wisdom within, I
override those instincts and do it my way. Inevitably it is a
disaster. Given the incredible luxury of that inner advisor it is
in our best interests to listen - after all, it comes with no
agenda.

We are responsible for our choices and at some point in our
lives we come to a place where we long to uncover our mission, our
life's assignment, our calling, that speaks to us from deep within
our soul. As an admissions counselor at National University, I am
very lucky to witness people doing just that - responding to their
inner voice, exploring the possibilities, and finally, listening to
the wisdom within. A calling, in my opinion, is not a job, it's not
even a profession. It's fulfilling the need inside of you to give
to the world that special gift that is unique to you. It is
something you HAVE to do, LOVE to do, and it brings you incredible
JOY.

Almost daily I meet people who are thinking about starting our
Massage Therapy Certification Program. When I ask them how they
became interested in this profession, a huge percentage of them
tell me it's something they've been thinking about for years -
something that's been "calling" to them - a little voice of
encouragement that they can no longer ignore. They tell me stories
of how they gravitate to people in pain and are able, without any
formal training, to relax those muscles, work out those knots, and
ease someone's aches. They are Massage Therapists. There is no
denying that they have a gift to offer to the family of
humanity.